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#11 CAD PEOPLE IN AUTOCAD – SEAMLESSLY INTEGRATING DWG AND PDF INTO THE DRAWING WORKFLOW
February 24, 2026 · Author: MW
AutoCAD is a classic 2D drawing tool where CAD people become an integral part of the drawing itself. Accordingly, a clean technical structure is crucial to ensure scale and legibility.
FlatFigures provides CAD people as DWG and PDF files. Both formats can be used in AutoCAD, with DWG files offering the greatest creative and technical flexibility.
DWG figures are either opened directly in AutoCAD or inserted as an external reference. Before further use, it should be checked whether the drawing is set up in the correct unit. Especially when combining multiple sources, scale errors are otherwise difficult to control.
After insertion, DWG figures can be fully edited. Lines, polylines, and hatches can be adjusted, unified, or distributed to project-specific layers. A clear layer structure is crucial for selectively showing or hiding figures depending on the type of plan.
DWG figures in AutoCAD are suitable for all classic plan types. They can be precisely matched to scales and easily integrated into existing drawing standards.
PDF files are used in AutoCAD as an underlay or imported vector content. Depending on the import option, they can either serve as a reference or be converted into editable lines. For clean application, it is important to correctly set the scale during import.
PDF figures are particularly suitable for situations where a quick addition without extensive post-processing is desired. They retain their graphic quality, but require careful control of scaling.
Regardless of the format, consistent layer organization significantly contributes to clarity. If CAD people are clearly separated from the rest of the drawing content, plans can be flexibly controlled and cleanly output.
Technically correctly integrated CAD people support the representation of scale and use without overloading the plan. In AutoCAD, they are therefore an integral part of a clearly structured drawing.
#10 CAD PEOPLE IN REVIT – TECHNICALLY CORRECT INTEGRATION OF DWG AND PDF
February 17, 2026 · Author: LW
When working with CAD people in Revit, technically clean integration is paramount. Errors in import, scale, or visibility quickly affect proportions and the clarity of plans.
FlatFigures provides CAD people as DWG and PDF files. Both formats can be used in Revit, but differ significantly in their further processing and controllability.
DWG files are usually integrated into Revit via importing or linking CAD files. It is crucial to adopt the correct units, as Revit works consistently model-based. Deviations in unit settings immediately lead to incorrect proportions.
After import, DWG figures are managed as 2D elements in the respective view. Lines and surfaces retain their structure, but can only be edited to a limited extent. A clean assignment to separate categories or worksets facilitates controlling visibility in different views.
DWG figures in Revit are particularly suitable for floor plans, sections, and detail views where scale and use are to be clarified without modifying the model itself. They complement the planning but remain clearly separated from the 3D model.
PDF files are placed in Revit as an underlay. They are not editable and primarily serve as a graphic addition. For technically correct use, exact scaling during placement is crucial.
As a reference, a known measurement, such as a defined body height, is recommended. This ensures that the figure is in the correct proportion to the drawing. Subsequent scaling is possible, but should be done consistently.
PDF figures are particularly suitable for design and presentation views where no further editing is necessary. They allow for quick additions of scale and use without complicating the Revit workflow.
Regardless of the file format, a clear separation between model content and 2D drawing elements is crucial. If CAD people are consciously used as an supplementary layer, the planning remains clear and technically sound.
#9 CAD PEOPLE IN ARCHICAD – TECHNICALLY CORRECT INTEGRATION OF DWG AND PDF
February 10, 2026 · Author: LW
When working with CAD people in Archicad, technically clean integration is more crucial than graphical design. Errors in import, scaling, or layer structure quickly lead to incorrect proportions or cluttered plans.
FlatFigures provides CAD people as DWG and PDF files. Both formats can be used in Archicad, but they differ in their technical application and degree of further processing.
DWG files are placed as drawings in Archicad. It is crucial to correctly adopt the underlying units of measurement. Before inserting, it should be checked whether the file is created in meters or millimeters to avoid scaling errors.
After placement, DWG drawings can be ungrouped. Lines and surfaces then become individually editable and can be adapted to project-specific requirements. A clear assignment to separate layers facilitates control in different types of plans.
DWG figures are particularly suitable for floor plans, sections, and elevations where line weights, hatches, or colors need to be adjusted. Due to their editability, they remain flexibly usable across all planning phases.
PDF files are also placed as drawings in Archicad, but their structure remains unchanged. They are embedded as vector or pixel content and are only editable to a limited extent. For a technically correct representation, the correct scaling during insertion is therefore particularly crucial.
When placing, a reference dimension should be known, such as a defined body height. This ensures that the figure appears at the correct scale. Later adjustment is possible, but should be done consistently and uniformly.
PDF figures are particularly suitable for design and presentation plans where no further editing is required. They can be integrated quickly and retain their graphic quality.
Regardless of the file format, a clean layer and level structure is crucial. If CAD people are consistently separated from the rest of the drawing content, the plan remains clear and flexibly controllable.
When integrated correctly, CAD people support the legibility of a plan without distorting the design. A clear import and organizational structure forms the basis for a calm and professional presentation.
#8 CAD FIGURES AND SCALE – A SYSTEM FOR DIFFERENT LEVELS OF REPRESENTATION
February 3, 2026 · Author: MW
Architectural drawings constantly move between different scales. From urban overviews to detailed sections, the requirements for representation and level of detail change considerably.
However, many CAD figures only work within a very limited scale range. When enlarged, they appear too coarse; when reduced, they lose their legibility or disappear completely from the plan.
A consistent CAD figure system allows for flexible adjustment of the level of detail without losing design unity. Figures can be used sparingly to indicate scale and use, or read more differentially when the representation requires it.
Especially during studies and in early design phases, this flexibility significantly simplifies the work. Drawings remain calm, understandable, and consistent – regardless of the project phase in which they are created.
#7 FLATFIGURES AS A SYSTEM – WHY UNIFORM CAD FIGURES ARE CRUCIAL
January 27, 2026 · Author: MW
Many CAD libraries offer a wide selection of individual figures but lack an overarching design concept. When multiple figures are combined in a plan, an inconsistent representation quickly emerges, which can distract from the design.
A calm overall impression is created not by as many styles as possible, but by clear design rules. Uniformity ensures that figures are perceived as part of the drawing and not as a foreign element.
FlatFigures therefore relies on a consistent design language. All CAD figures follow the same design principles and can be combined arbitrarily without disturbing the visual order of a plan.
Especially in competitions, presentation plans, or extensive project documents, this consistency helps to communicate content more clearly and to highlight the architecture.
#6 THE SEARCH FOR GOOD CAD FIGURES – A DAILY PROBLEM IN ACADEMIA & OFFICE
January 20, 2026 · Author: MW
Anyone studying architecture or working in an office knows the situation: CAD figures are needed at short notice for a design, but instead of efficient solutions, a time-consuming search often begins. Different websites, inconsistent styles, and technically unclean files complicate the work process.
Many CAD libraries consist of mixed figures with varying line weights, scales, and levels of detail. In drawings, this often leads to a restless overall impression or means that only individual figures are usable at all.
In addition, there are technical problems such as open lines, missing surfaces, or representations that lose their effect when the scale changes. Especially during periods of high time pressure, this creates additional effort that has little to do with the actual design.
CAD figures are often regarded as a secondary element, although they contribute significantly to the legibility and comprehensibility of a plan. The recurring problems show that there is less a lack of selection than a lack of consistency and systematic approach.
#5 WHY GOOD CAD FIGURES ARE MORE THAN JUST "FILLER MATERIAL"
January 15, 2026 · Author: MW
In architectural drawings, detail often determines the impact. CAD figures are frequently underestimated – yet they significantly shape a plan's scale, atmosphere, and legibility. Restless or stylistically inappropriate figures can distort proportions or distract from the design.
In contrast, reduced, cleanly drawn CAD figures can help to represent spaces more clearly and convey usage scenarios. They support the architecture without pushing themselves into the foreground.
At Flatfigures, the focus is therefore on clear silhouettes, calm lines, and technical cleanliness – with the aim of keeping drawings functional and highly legible.
#4 2D OR 3D? WHY 2D CAD REMAINS INDISPENSABLE IN ARCHITECTURE
January 7, 2026 · Author: LW
Despite the increasing use of 3D models and renderings, 2D drawings remain a central tool in architecture. Floor plans, sections, and elevations often convey information more clearly and structured.
Especially in early design phases, in approval planning, or in competitions, a reduced representation is often useful. 2D CAD allows for quick adjustments and precise control of scale and depth of representation.
Even supplementary elements such as people, trees, or furniture can be used efficiently in 2D without unnecessarily overloading plans or making them technically complicated.
#3 TYPICAL MISTAKES WITH CAD FIGURES – AND HOW TO AVOID THEM
December 28, 2025 · Author: MW
Many CAD libraries contain figures with very different levels of detail, line weights, or scales. In drawings, this often leads to a restless overall impression.
A common mistake is the use of highly detailed or photorealistic figures in technical plans. These can attract attention without offering functional added value. Inconsistent size ratios also impair the legibility of a plan.
A reduced, consistent representation with clear contours can help to avoid these problems and make drawings appear calmer and more understandable overall.
#2 SCALE, EFFECT, ATMOSPHERE – HOW PEOPLE MAKE DRAWINGS LEGIBLE
December 12, 2025 · Author: LW
People in architectural drawings fulfill several functions. They provide scale, show uses, and can contribute to spatial orientation. Different placements and postures also convey qualities of stay or movement.
A balanced ratio is crucial. Too many figures can clutter plans, while too few make spaces difficult to assess. The positioning within the design also influences perception.
Consciously used CAD figures can help to present architectural concepts more understandably – for both specialist audiences and non-planners.
#1 HOW FLATFIGURES CAME INTO BEING – FROM ARCHITECTURE STUDIES
November 30, 2025 · Author: MW
During architecture studies, it became clear time and again that suitable CAD figures were difficult to find. Many existing libraries seemed confusing or did not stylistically match one's own drawings.
Out of this need, the idea arose to develop an own collection of clearly structured CAD figures. The focus was on reduction, uniformity, and technical cleanliness.
Flatfigures sees itself as the result of this engagement with everyday work – with the aim of making drawings more efficient and clearer.